In a formal Repatriation Ceremony on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 3:00 PM, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH) will commemorate the return of three manuscripts, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, by Swann Galleries.
In January 2023, GOARCH General Counsel George Tsougarakis received an unexpected call; Swann Auction Galleries of New York was on the other line. After discovering the origins of three manuscripts formerly in their collections, they said, they wanted to return them home to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The manuscripts are among nearly 900 religious objects and manuscripts looted from the Theotokos Eikosiphoinissa Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery by Bulgarian combatants during World War I.
WHAT
Repatriation Ceremony for Three Historic Manuscripts to the Theotokos Eikosiphoinissa Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery by Swann Galleries
WHEN
Friday, April 28, 2023, at 3:00 PM
WHO
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, Assistant District Attorney for the City of New York & Head of Antiquities Trafficking Unit
Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist of Early Printed Books at Swann Galleries
George A. Tsougarakis, General Counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
WHERE
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine – World Trade Center
130 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10006
PRESS LOGISTICS
Press should RSVP by emailing communications@goarch.org or by contacting Amelia Antzoulatos (646-943-2573) or Marissa Costidis (732-522-1637).
The Service will be live-streamed beginning at 3:00 PM (EST) on www.youtube.com/@archbishopelpidophoros and www.facebook.com/archbishopelpidophoros
Press registration opens onsite at 2:00 PM. All registration will be done on the day of the event.
Upon arrival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, you must present a valid and legitimate media credential for access to the event or a letter from your Editor or Station Manager requesting a press pass for the event.
Photographers (Still & Video) will be escorted inside the Church to capture photos and video.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is available for interviews after the event.
